Friday, September 28, 2012

With visits to 85 unique ports of call in 40 countries, Cunard Line’s 2014 World Voyage Programme
is sure to satisfy the most adventurous traveller with
opportunities to explore South America, to circumnavigate Australia and
to discover the excitement of Japan and Southeast Asia.

On sale 5 September, the programme will feature three World Voyages ranging from eight to 133 days aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth,
with embarkation points in Southampton, England, New York, Fort
Lauderdale and San Francisco, depending on the voyage. Together,
Cunard’s Queens will cover 116,808 nautical miles, taking in signature,
must-see cities as well as less familiar, but equally compelling,
destinations.

“For nearly a century, Cunard has served the adventure-seeking
traveller with unrivaled access to the world’s most storied regions
since the advent of our World Voyage Programme in 1922,” said Peter
Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “Such an experience is heightened
only by Cunard’s reputation in superior service and world-class
amenities, and is why we see so many return guests year upon year.”

Queen Mary 2
Flagship Queen Mary 2 will celebrate her 10th
anniversary season with an exciting 119-day World Voyage, commencing
from Southampton and visiting 30 ports of call in 19 countries. Guests
have the option to return to Southampton, or to New York via an iconic Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing.

Destination highlights will include Namibia and the spectacular
sculpted dunes; Cape Town and beautiful Table Mountain; plus her second,
full circumnavigation of Australia with calls in Cairns, Sydney,
Brisbane and Melbourne.

On her return route home from Sydney, guests will be treated to an
impressive range of exciting Asian sights and cultures before transiting
the Suez Canal and cruising the Mediterranean.

Overnight calls will include Cape Town, Hong Kong and Dubai.

Segment voyages provide guests the opportunity to enjoy Cunard’s
distinctive World Voyage experience in a shorter time frame, ranging
from 18 to 23 days and will include:

18-day Southampton to Cape Town – includes an overnight in Cape Town

22-day Cape Town to Sydney

23-day Roundtrip Sydney

19-day Sydney to Hong Kong – includes an overnight in Hong Kong

19-day Hong Kong to Dubai – includes an overnight in Dubai

18-day Dubai to Southampton

Guests can also enjoy outstanding value by combining two or more consecutive segments to create adventurous Liner Voyages.

Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria’s epic 116-day World Voyage will sail
roundtrip from Southampton and visit 40 ports in 19 countries, including
an extended trip around South America and a much-anticipated overnight
call in San Francisco.

Guests can begin their journey in Southampton or Fort Lauderdale and
experience everything from joyful samba displays in Rio and silent
turquoise glaciers in Chile, to the mystery and legend of remote Pacific
isles. Cape Horn, Amalia Glacier, Pio X Glacier, Easter Island,
Pitcairn Island and breathtaking Milford Sound are just some of the
voyage’s iconic and dazzling destinations. Other highlights will
include seven calls in New Zealand and visits to American Samoa, Tonga
and Hawaii.

28-day Sydney to San Francisco – includes an overnight in San Francisco

15-day San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale

12-day Fort Lauderdale to Southampton

Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth will return to the World Voyage with
an enthralling 118-day circumnavigation of the globe featuring
embarkation points in Southampton, New York, Fort Lauderdale or San
Francisco. The ship will visit 41 ports in 24 countries and feature a
first-ever visit to Japan where she will make four maiden calls: Kochi,
Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki. Additional highlights include a dramatic
passage of the Panama Canal, the beauty of Hawaii and Australia’s Great
Barrier Reef.

19-day New York to San Francisco – includes an overnight in San Francisco

23-day San Francisco to Sydney – includes an overnight in Sydney

15-day Sydney to Yokohama

19-day Yokohama to Singapore – includes overnights in Hong Kong and Singapore

14-day Singapore to Dubai – includes an overnight in Dubai

20-day Dubai to Southampton

Enhanced Benefits Programme
Guests who book their 2014 World Voyage adventure before 28 February
2013 will receive an On Board Credit of up to $3,000 per stateroom – on
Full World and Liner Voyages.

Guests who book a Full World Voyage will receive complimentary Hotel & Dining Charges (gratuities).

In addition to On Board Credit, World Club members will receive
additional savings of up to $2000 per person. These World Club savings
will combine with most other offers that are available to past guests,
giving them peace of mind that booking early is advantageous.

Land Tours
New for 2014, guests may opt to increase overnight stays by three or
four days in Santiago (Chile), Cape Town and Sydney, when booked in
conjunction with select voyages. Featured land tours include:

Queen Mary 2

Cape Town & Winelands (3 nights) – includes a
fascinating visit to a penguin colony in Boulder’s Beach at the Cape of
Good Hope Nature Reserve, as well as a stop at the house of J.C. Le Roux
and the nearby university town of Stellenbosch. Adventurous guests may
also climb Cape Town’s most celebrated landmark, Table Mountain, before
embarking on a tour through the city.

This tour can be booked for Queen Mary 2’s arrival in
Cape Town as a post-voyage tour from Southampton or can be enjoyed
before departing Cape Town for Sydney or Brisbane.

Andes & Viña Del Mar (3 nights)–
a scenic drive from the Central Valley of Santiago to the Andes (at
9,421 feet above sea level) is followed by a tour through the Casablanca
Valley to the fashionable seaside resort of Viña del Mar and
Valparaíso.

These tours can be booked for Queen Victoria’s arrival
in Valparaiso as a post-voyage tour from Southampton or can be enjoyed
before departing Valparaiso for Brisbane or Sydney.

Queen Elizabeth

Sydney: Blue Mountains & Hunter Valley (4 nights) –
begins with a morning tour of Sydney highlights, including the historic
Rocks area, Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, Kings Cross and Bondi Beach, in
addition to the world famous Sydney Opera House; next on the tour is a
visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park, the township of Katoomba in the
World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, and a 700-foot ride down the
world's steepest funicular railway; the tour ends with a wine tasting in
the beautiful Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s oldest and renowned
wine regions.

This tour can be booked for Queen Elizabeth’s arrival in Sydney as a pre-voyage tour before departing for Yokohama, Hong Kong, Singapore or Southampton.

Guests sailing a luxury cruise vacation aboard Cunard Line delight in
the experience of the voyage itself, not just the destination. By day,
guests enjoy voluminous libraries, world class spas, white-glove
afternoon tea service and engaging award-winning CunardInsights guest
enrichment programmes; by night they are entertained by Royal Nights
themed balls, West End-style productions and Veuve Clicquot champagne
cocktails.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

In conjunction with Julien’s Auctions of Beverly Hills, Cunard Line will offer guests the opportunity to view and purchase rarely before seen items of famed actress Greta Garbo during Queen Mary 2’s 20 November 2012 Transatlantic Crossing. Additionally, during the voyage, Garbo’s great nephew, Derek Reisfield, will headline Cunard's on board enrichment program, Cunard Insights, where he will provide a personal account of her life and iconic Hollywood career.

Hailed as Hollywood’s “First Modern Woman,” Garbo’s timeless appeal
spans the eras of both silent and talking films. Regarded for her
striking beauty and style, the four-time Academy Award® nominee is best known for her classic roles in “Anna Karenina,” “The Temptress,” “The Kiss” and “Grand Hotel.”

The on board auction and display will give guests an exclusive preview
of Julien’s December 2012 Garbo auction event in Beverly Hills, and will
feature several of her most photographed belongings, including her
iconic cashmere turtleneck and vintage umbrella, used to shield herself
from paparazzi. Relics from Garbo's world travels, including her
vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase, travel watch and a luggage tag bearing
her travel alias, will also be on display for guests’ viewing pleasure.

During his guest lectures for Cunard Insights, Derek Reisfield
will recall personal stories from the actress’ life, learned during his
weekly, childhood gatherings with her. Topics will also include career
highlights, Garbo’s personal relationships with dignitaries and
celebrities such as President John F. Kennedy, Sir Winston Churchill and
William Randolph Hearst, and will highlight her lesser-known historical
contributions to American and British military intelligence during
World War II.

“We are pleased to partner with Julien’s Auctions who, along with the
Garbo Family, are graciously providing our guests exclusive access to
some of Garbo’s prized possessions,” said Peter Shanks, president of
Cunard Line. “A highlight of any Cunard voyage is our Insights
programme, and we are delighted to offer such a personal account of
Garbo’s legacy to Hollywood and to the rest of the world.”

“As Garbo was one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood
history, and Cunard has such a storied tradition of sailing Hollywood
luminaries, it is an honour to work with both the Garbo Family and
Cunard on this very special collection of notable pieces dating back to
both the silent and talking film eras,” said Darren Julien, president,
CEO of Julien’s Auctions.

For more than 170 years, Cunard Line’s Transatlantic Crossing has appealed to a broad range of sophisticated travelers with a love of glamour, elegance and tradition. Each Crossing
features a series of Royal Nights-themed balls held in the Queens Room –
the largest dance floor at sea; and each evening, the Royal Court
Theatre presents West End-style musical revues and guest performers.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that a new Stingray
Encounter and ‘Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure’ are now available on
Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s 250-acre private island in the Bahamas.
In addition, coming soon is a brand new Lighthouse Beach Bar presented
by spirits brand Patron. The launch of these three brand new experiences
marks more exciting additions to the island as part of the on-going $30
million enhancement project.

Located inside Bertram’s Cove, on
the right hand side of the main beach, the Stingray Encounter invites
guests to interact with 18 specially-trained stingrays in an enclosed
area. Each of the stingrays has a name and its own unique personality,
and guests will enjoy feeding, watching and holding them, for the
perfect photo opportunity. Also included in the Stingray Encounter
experience is use of a mask, snorkel and snorkel vest so that guests can
peer below the surface to examine the rays up close. The hour-long
excursion includes 45-minutes of interaction with the rays and is
available from $29 per adult and $19 per child.

Norwegian is also
launching a new snorkel trail experience called, Fate of the Fancy
Snorkel Adventure, for guests to enjoy during their time on Norwegian’s
private island. Snorkelling is one of the most popular activities on the
island and Norwegian has now enhanced that experience with the snorkel
trail.

Located near the Stingray Encounter in Bertram’s Cove, the
Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure is the first private island snorkel
trail to depict an actual legend as it portrays the tale of a
shipwreck. As the legend goes, ‘The Fancy’, sailing from Nassau, Bahamas
in 1696, encountered a mythical creature named Lusca that was
half-shark, half-octopus. It is believed that Lusca was responsible for
the ship disappearing near the Berry Islands, the location of Great
Stirrup Cay. Guests can explore, discover and look for clues underwater
that lead to the treasure that the Fancy was carrying, highlighted by 17
different underwater scenes that depict the shipwreck and Lusca’s
legend, including cannons, a sunken piano, treasure chests, swords and
more.

Developed in conjunction with IDEA Inc., an Orlando-based
company with experience in developing theme park experiences, the Fate
of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure features some authentic artefacts that
are more than 300 years old. In addition, all of the artefacts are
eco-friendly and will stimulate additional marine life in the area.

To
experience the snorkel trail, guests can rent snorkel equipment at a
rate from $29 per adult or $15 per child for the entire day. Guests
wishing to experience both the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure and
the Stingray Encounter during their time on the island can purchase a
combination package that includes both tours at a discounted price from
$49 per adult, a $9 saving, and $29 per child, a $5 saving.

Norwegian
has also partnered with the popular spirits brand, Patron, to introduce
a new island bar experience to Great Stirrup Cay called ‘Lighthouse
Beach Bar presented by Patron’. This is the first private island bar
that Patron has sponsored. It will feature Patron products, as well as a
full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The bar will be
completely redesigned and will be outfitted with beach-inspired décor,
Patron branded materials, including bar stools, umbrellas and menu
boards, as well as two large flat-screen TVs that will showcase a
variety of entertainment from music videos to sporting events. The new
bar is set to open in September 2012.

Norwegian was the first
cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience
exclusively for its guests. Great Stirrup Cay offers magnificent white
sand beaches, majestic palms and calm, pristine waters where an
abundance of colourful marine life inhabits the surrounding coral reefs.
Additional activities on the island include a Waverunner® tour; a large
Hippo Waterslide; eco boat tour; kayaking; parasailing; shopping at the
straw market; and more.

Ship visting Great Stirrup Cay include the:Norwegian Gem
visiting Great Stirrup Cay during her 7-night Bahamas & Florida
itinerary from New York. Beginning in October, Norwegian Jewel will also
stop at Great Stirrup Cay on her 7-night Bahamas & Florida cruises
from New York. Norwegian
Breakaway, Norwegian’s newest ship launching next spring, will visit
Great Stirrup Cay on 7-night cruises from New York to the Bahamas &
Florida beginning in mid-October 2013.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that a new Stingray Encounter and Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventureare now
available on Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s 250-acre private island in
the Bahamas. In addition, coming soon is a brand new Lighthouse Beach
Bar presented by
Patron. The launch of these three brand new experiences marks more
exciting additions to the island as part of the ongoing $30 million
enhancement project.

Located
inside Bertram’s Cove, on the right hand side of the main beach, the
Stingray Encounter invites guests to
interact with 18 specially-trained stingrays in an enclosed area. This
exciting and unique excursion introduces guests to these smooth and
graceful creatures. Each of the stingrays has a name and its own unique
personality, and guests will enjoy feeding, watching
and holding them, for the perfect photo opportunity. Also included in
the Stingray Encounter experience is use of a mask, snorkel and snorkel
vest so that guests can peer below the surface to examine the rays up
close. The hour-long excursion includes 45-minutes
of interaction with the rays and is $29 per adult and $19 per child.

Norwegian is also launching a new snorkel trail experience called, “Fate
of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure,”
for guests to enjoy during their time on Norwegian’s private island.
Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities on the island and
Norwegian has now enhanced that experience with the snorkel trail.

Located near the Stingray Encounter in Bertram’s Cove, the
Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure
is the first private island snorkel trail to
depict an actual legend as it portrays the tale of a shipwreck. As the
legend goes, “The Fancy,” sailing from Nassau, Bahamas in 1696,
encountered a mythical creature named Lusca that was half-shark,
half-octopus. It is believed that Lusca was responsible
for the ship disappearing near the Berry Islands, the location of Great
Stirrup Cay. Guests can explore discover and look for clues underwater
that lead to the treasure that the Fancy was carrying, highlighted by
17 different underwater scenes that depict
the shipwreck and Lusca’s legend, including cannons, a sunken piano,
treasure chests, swords and more.

Developed in conjunction with IDEA Inc., an Orlando-based company with experience in developing theme park experiences,
the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure
features some authentic artifacts that are
more than 300 years old. In addition, all of the artifacts are
eco-friendly and will stimulate additional marine life in the area.

To experience the snorkel trail, guests can rent snorkel equipment at a rate of $29 per adult or $15 per child for
the entire day. Guests wishing to experience both the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure
and the Stingray Encounter during their time on the island can purchase
a combination package that includes both tours at a discounted price of
$49 per adult, a $9 savings, and $29 per child, a $5 savings.

Norwegian has also partnered with the popular spirits brand, Patron, to
introduce a new island bar experience to Great
Stirrup Cay called, Lighthouse Beach Bar presented by Patron. This is
the first private island bar that Patron has sponsored. It will feature
Patron products, as well as a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages. The bar will be completely redesigned
and will be outfitted with beach-inspired décor, Patron branded
materials, including bar stools, umbrellas and menu boards, as well as
two large flat-screen TVs that will showcase a variety of entertainment
from music videos to sporting events. The new bar
is set to open in September 2012.

Norwegian
was the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island
experience exclusively for its guests.
Great Stirrup Cay offers magnificent white sand beaches, majestic palms
and calm, pristine waters where an abundance of colorful marine life
inhabits the surrounding coral reefs. Additional activities on the
island include a Waverunner® tour; a large Hippo
Waterslide; eco boat tour; kayaking; parasailing; shopping at the straw
market; and more.

Norwegian Sky makes year-round stops at Great Stirrup Cay on her three
and four-day cruises from Miami. Norwegian Gem
visits Great Stirrup Cay during her seven-day Bahamas & Florida
itinerary from New York. Beginning in October, Norwegian Jewel will
also stop at Great Stirrup Cay on her seven-day Bahamas & Florida
cruises from New York. Norwegian Pearl will also visit Great
Stirrup Cay this winter on her seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary
from Miami. Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian’s newest ship launching next
spring, will visit Great Stirrup Cay on seven-day cruises from
New York to the Bahamas & Florida beginning in mid-October 2013.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Although Princess Cruises' New Royal Princess will NOT be sailing from the Northeast US, I think readers will find the video below very interesting and enjoyable. The video shows the recent float-out of the new Royal Princess at Italy's Fincantieri Shipyard. Click on the photo below to watch the video.

Click the image above to watch the float out ceremony of Princess Cruises' New Royal Princess.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Silversea Cruises is a seasonal operator of New England, Canada and Transatlantic sailing from New York ............

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has released two new brochures showcasing over
200 imaginative voyages sailing from January through December 2013 to over 450 destinations on seven continents.

The new
2013 Voyages atlas immediately
captures the imagination with an exquisite cover design that hints at
the luxurious travel experiences revealed within its 176 pages. Devoted
to the
remarkable journeys of Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow,
Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit, this comprehensive guidebook showcases Silversea's exclusive world, where luxury is found in every detail.

Also just released is Silversea Expeditions'
2013 Voyages brochure. Formerly enfolded within the company's main atlas, it is now available as a stand-alone 48-page guide to
Silver Explorer's amazing voyages of adventure. It highlights 27
expedition cruises sailing from pole to pole and to some of the world's
most remote destinations in between.

"Our new
brochures reveal the many unique elements that are woven together to
create an extraordinary vacation experience for our guests," said Ellen
Bettridge, Silversea's
president of the Americas. "These include intimate ships, luxurious
amenities, superb cuisine, amazing destinations, and the ability our
guests have to personalize their experience with bespoke land
adventures, options for customizing their suites and a choice
of cruise-only or all-inclusive pricing."

Silversea's
2013 Voyages atlas opens with several pages of stylish imagery
and engaging content devoted to revealing the hallmarks of Silversea's
unique luxury lifestyle. The balance of the brochure provides a snapshot
of "What's New" followed by detailed worldwide
cruise itineraries by region, including shore excursion
recommendations, descriptions of land programs, deck plans and general
information. A pricing summary booklet is contained in the back cover
pocket.

2013 Highlights:

WORLD CRUISE 2013

An epic 115-day journey from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale awaits guests when they board
Silver Whisper on January 5. Crossing the equator four times, the
World Cruise itinerary will follow the tropical belt to 52 destinations
in 28 countries with overnight stays in several key ports. The
warm-weather journey will explore an array of far-flung
cultures and scenic wonders including New Zealand and Australia's
remote west coast; the idyllic isles of French Polynesia; fascinating
Asian cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore; and Africa's rarely
seen western coast. Guests may choose to extend their
voyage an additional three days to disembark in New York, or 15 days to
disembark in Southampton.

GRAND VOYAGES

Created
for travelers who can spare the time and prefer a more immersive
experience in the lands they visit, this special collection offers
extended
voyages from 34 to 54 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of
sailing aboard the line's elite, all-suite ships with expanded journeys
to diverse regions of the world, featuring visits to must-see
traditional ports, as well as exotic destinations
that are off the beaten path -- all on one cruise.

SOUTH PACIFIC VOYAGE

From the
glamorous City of Angels to the moonlit beaches of Bora Bora to the
sheer, emerald cliffs of Kauai's Na Pali coast and back, guests will
enjoy a 31-day roundtrip
journey exploring the enchanting cultures of the South Pacific. This
uniquely immersive voyage (#5304) departs February 1 from Los Angeles
aboard
Silver Spirit.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Rockettes Named Norwegian Cruise Lines' New Norwegian Breakaway Godmother

Norwegian
Cruise Line and MSG Entertainment announced today that the Rockettes,
one of New York’s most illustrious and beloved icons, will christen
Norwegian Breakaway
as the official Godmothers, further strengthening the ship’s strong
ties to New York. The christening ceremony will take place in New York
City on May 8, 2013 on board Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship to
homeport year-round in New York. The partnership
with the Rockettes will include Norwegian Cruise Line as the designated
“Official Cruise Line” of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall, and
as the “Official Partner”of the
Radio City Christmas Spectacular. As part of their role as
Godmothers, two Rockettes will sail aboard the first six sailings of
Norwegian Breakaway, beginning May 12, 2013, and the first sailing of
each month thereafter, taking part in special events
for guests to enjoy.

“Norwegian
Breakaway is being designed as New York’s ship and we want everyone to
know that this is the “must-sail” cruise ship from New York in 2013 and
beyond,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief
executive officer. “I strongly believe that the Rockettes, one of the
most beloved and recognizable New York icons, are the perfect choice to
serve as the ship’s Godmothers. The Rockettes not only epitomize New
York, they are known as strong role models and
talented stars. We couldn’t be more pleased to have these renowned
dancers as the Godmothers of New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway.”

“We are
thrilled to announce our partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line as we
bring together three of our iconic New York based properties in the MSG
Entertainment portfolio, Radio City Music Hall, the
Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the legendary Rockettes,”
said Melissa Ormond, president, Madison Square Garden Entertainment.
“This signature partnership will provide Norwegian Cruise Line with
unprecedented access to the Rockettes, Radio City
and the Christmas Spectacular, providing their customers an
opportunity to experience firsthand these New York icons. The Rockettes
have been beloved by millions of fans for the past 85 years in New York
and it is such an honor to celebrate their legacy
as the official Godmothers of the largest ship ever to homeport in New
York City.”

The larger partnership across the MSGE properties, Radio City Music Hall, the
Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the Rockettes, will create
expansive brand exposure for Norwegian Cruise Line at Radio City Music
Hall, including onsite venue presence during the 2012 production of the
Christmas Spectacular. Guests attending this year’s Christmas Spectacular
at Radio City Music Hall can participate in the “Spectacular Sweeps,” a
sweepstakes that can be entered right from their seats with the
opportunity to win one of two cruises
for a family of four on Norwegian Breakaway.

Norwegian
Cruise Line will have a year-round display in Radio City Music Hall’s
Grand Lounge that features an 11-foot replica of Norwegian Breakaway,
along with information on the ship’s unique attributes, entertainment,
dining, destinations and more.

Onboard
Norwegian Breakaway, the Rockettes, with their unparalleled grace,
athleticism and precision technique that has made them part of the
fabric of New York City for 85 years, will be showcased with a
variety of offerings,
including a historical retrospective in the ship’s library, exclusive
fitness class designed by the Rockettes, featured beverages and more. On
select sailings, guests will have the exclusive opportunity
to meet two of the Rockettes. Sailing on the first six cruises from
New York, as well as the first sailing of every month, two Rockettes
will offer special fitness classes, photo opportunities, meet and greet
speaker series and more.

“Having
two Rockettes on board select sailings is going to be a very special
opportunity for our guests to have more interaction with these
incredibly talented and dynamic
women,” added Sheehan. “This truly takes the role of Godmother to a new
level as the Rockettes will be a special part of Norwegian Breakaway’s
unique cruising experience.”

Starting
with their inaugural New York City performance in 1927, the Rockettes
have wowed audiences for the last 85 years.
From appearances on the Tony Awards, Project Runway, Dancing with the
Stars and the Super Bowl Halftime Show to Presidential inaugurations,
the Rockettes are the epitome of teamwork and the embodiment of the
belief that “together we're better.” Each dancer
achieved their lifelong dream of becoming a Rockette through hard work,
determination, dedication and dreaming big. Known for their rich
history, unrivaled talent, strength, dynamism, precision and
athleticism, the Rockettes have become one of the nation's
most beloved icons. As the stars of the annual Christmas Spectacular
production, the Rockettes entertain more than one million people each
year and have played to 75 different cities across the country with the
national touring production.

Known
as the showplace of the nation, Radio City Music Hall has hosted some
of the biggest names in entertainment and music since it opened its
doors on December 27, 1932. More than 300 million
people have come to the Music Hall to enjoy stage shows, movies,
concerts and special events, as well as the annual
Christmas Spectacular production. The 2012 edition of the Christmas Spectacular invites audiences to take part in the
Rockettes Celebration! This year’s production commemorates 85
years of the past, present and future of the Rockettes featuring
dazzling dance numbers, beloved favorites, breathtaking special effects
and a brand new showcase featuring the Rockettes' most
extraordinary costumes through the years, alongside beloved favorites
that have been in the show since its inception.

Norwegian Breakaway

The 4,000
passenger Norwegian Breakaway will arrive in her year-round homeport of
New York City in early May 2013. The ship will begin weekly summer
seven-day cruises to Bermuda on Sunday, May 12, 2013. From October
2013 through April 2014, New York’s ship will offer seven-day voyages
from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas and Florida, as well as two
12-day sailings to the Southern Caribbean.

To date, the
company has revealed the ship’s groundbreaking design, including The
Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place; a wide range of indoor and outdoor
venues on three dynamic decks that will create a whole new complex
at sea that enhances guests’ connection with the ocean. Norwegian
Breakaway’s entertainment will include three Broadway shows: five-time
Tony nominated ROCK OF AGES; the dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR; and
CIRQUE DREAMS & DINNER JUNGLE FANTASY. The famed
comedy troupe The Second City, Howl at the Moon dueling pianos, and New
York’s own Slam Allen will also perform on the vessel. Celebrity Chef
and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will also debut his first
restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean
Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian.

The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway will feature the first Aqua Park at
sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides,
the first ever at sea, and a three-story sports complex that includes
the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole
miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

The
ship will also feature a rich mix of stateroom options including The
Haven by Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship in an
exclusive, private key-card enclave and 22 additional
Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed
and priced for solo travelers; the re-introduction of Oceanview
staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites
and Suites in close proximity to the spa.

Monday, September 17, 2012

After completing her last Canada cruise, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic left New York today (9/17) for what could be the last time.

The Disney Magic left the Manhattan Cruise Terminal at 1:15 PM en-route for Galveston, Texas. Sailing under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge at 2:15 PM, the ship left New York without passenger and is expected to arrive in the Texas city on September 22.

From Galveston, the Disney Magic will sail to Florida and the Bahamas (8 Days) or Grand Caymen and Mexico (7 Days).

Disney Cruise Line has opted to place the Disney Magic in Europe for the Summer of 2013.

Norwegian
Cruise Line is introducing a new Specialty Dining Package, “Signature
Trio,” that gives guests the unique opportunity
to pre-purchase three specialty restaurants prior to sailing at a
special rate. Guests who take advantage of Norwegian’s Specialty Dining
Package can experience three of the line’s most popular specialty
restaurants: the steakhouse, French bistro and Italian
restaurant at a special package rate of $47 per person. The offer is
currently available on all ships fleet wide.

The Signature Trio gives guests a taste of something
deliciously new and the opportunity to experience three of the line’s
most popular restaurants. Diners will delight in Norwegian’s signature
steakhouse,featuring succulent grilled steaks, perfectly cooked double cut lamb
chops and other delectable steakhouse favorites. Also included in the
trio is Norwegian’s signature French bistro, where guests will enjoy
French favorites such as escargot, coq au vin
and a spectacular vanilla crème brulee for dessert. The third specialty
restaurant included in the trio is Norwegian’s traditional Italian
restaurant, where guests will feast on a variety of pastas,
made-to-order specialty pizzas, and other Italian favorites
such as chicken parmesan and osso bucco in a casual atmosphere.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Today Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star left New York on her way to Bermuda at 4:15 P.M. as usual. Passengers on deck got to view the skyline as she sailed down the river and under the Verrazano. After passing about 15-20 minutes past the bridge, at 5:24 PM, the Norwegian Star unexpectedly turned around and began to sail up river arriving back at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal and docking again at 6:30 PM

The Norwegian Star then departed the Manhattan Cruise Terminal again at 7:10 PM. The Norwegian Star was seen under the Verrazano Bridge a second time at 8:00 PM.

It is unclear whether she returned due to an ill passenger or some other reason.

Perhaps related.....

The Norwegian Star did bump Royal Caribbean's Explore of the Seas at Kings Wharf Bermuda at about 1:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 14. A high wind squall (estimated to be 52 miles per hour) caused the Norwegian Star’s aft mooring lines to break
while the ship was docked in Bermuda. There were no
injuries, and after a short time of being at anchor, the ship re-docked
alongside at the pier. Divers entered the water to assure the Norwegian Star did not have any underwater damage. The ship left for New York 2 hour later than expected on Friday.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Crystal
Cruises’ alluring new publication illustrates why the ultra-luxe line
has been reaping awards lately for its smart spaces and chic cruise
experiences. Styled like a traveler’s vintage photo journal, the
six-page brochure
builds on the company’s fresh, contemporary Begin a New Story brand campaign, showcasing:

$100 million+
overall recent investment to keep Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity
not just au courant -- but on the cutting edge of cruise ship and hotel
design

$40 million 2012 and
2011 extreme makeovers of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity,
respectively -- via a pictorial photo spread as elegant as the ships
themselves

Crystal’s design-related awards over the past six years

High-tech digital/electronic enhancements

Style inspirations

Luxury design details

With
Crystal Symphony just emerging from its dry dock this summer, a
majority of the pages flaunt the theaters, play
areas, lounges, and other spaces that are freshly made over, completing
an ambitious five-year plan to restyle every room on board.

“Design
is such an important element of discerning travelers’ vacations – from
their decision-making about where
to spend it to the experience they have when they get there,” says
Crystal President Greg Michel. “We think travelers will appreciate
seeing many of the stylish ways we’ve enhanced Crystal’s ‘World’s Best’
vacations.”

In 2012, Crystal Cruises has been awarded
the Association of Retail Environment’s Crystal design award, three
Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, for luxury ship, suite and stateroom designs
Hospitality Design magazine’s first-ever Distinctive Cruise Design award, as well as
Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 and 2 cruise medium-sized cruise ships and Travel + Leisure
readers choice awards for the World’s Best Cruise Line and World’s Best Service in the large ship category.

Crystal Cruises is a luxury operator offering seasonal cruises from New York, Montreal and Boston offering New England and Canada cruises and transatlantic positioning cruises.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Norwegian
Cruise Line announced today that the company’s North American website
and booking engine is now available
in a Spanish language version. Approximately 35 million residents in
the United States speak Spanish as their native language and it is the
world’s third most commonly used language on the Internet. Therefore,
the launch of the Spanish language version of
ncl.com reinforces Norwegian’s commitment to this audience by making it
easier for Spanish-speaking guests to make a Norwegian cruise
reservation.

The
new version of the site features the same key elements as ncl.com,
including ship and destination content, booking
engine and online check-in. The new site also features a unique
toll-free number that connects Spanish-speaking callers to
Spanish-speaking cruise representatives so that guests can make cruise
reservations and have questions answered in their preferred language.

To develop the Spanish-language site, Norwegian partnered with South Florida-based MotionPoint Corporation, a company
that specializes in website translation and localization for large consumer brands.

Spanish speaking guests can access the new Spanish version of the line’s website directly at
es.ncl.com or by clicking the
“Español” link on ncl.com’s homepage header.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A one time New York cruise ship favorite is heading to breakers in Turkey.

The Sea Venture was built in 1971 by Nordseewerke, Emden, West Germany for Flagship Cruises.
The Sea Venture was very popular on the New York to Bermuda run for multiple years and
the symbol of elegance when she was introduced. Together, the Sea
Venture and her sister the Island Venture, were the new luxury standard
for cruising.

Although the ships had a strong following, the
high per diems and high operating costs stressed the company's
financials. These 2 factors combined with a generous offer to purchase
the ships from Princess Cruises caused the Sea Venture (and her sister)
to be sold off to Princess Cruises.

The Sea Venture in 1974
became the Pacific Princess, well known in the popular television
series "The Love Boat" which debuted in 1977

The Pacific Princess sailed for Princess until 2003, when she was sold to Pullmantur Cruises in Spain and sailed as the Pacific.

In
turn she was chartered to Quail Cruises in 2008 and continued to sail
as Pacific. She was eventually was sold to Quail Cruises who
commenced a major renovation and upgrade of the vessel. The work proved
more expensive than anticipated and after spending $10+ Million
dollars in renovations, Quail Cruises walked away from the ship.

The
vessel remains laid up in Italy and multiple attempts have been made
to auction the ship off on the behalf of creditors but they have yet to
find a bidder to meet the minimum purchase price of 2.7 Million Euros.

She
is currently laid up in Genoa, where she has been for 2 years. Last week it was announced that this great ship was sold to breakers in Turkey. It is expected that she will be towed to the scrap dealer's site within the next two months and beached for demolition.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Just last week United Airlines announced that they were changing the configuration of their aircraft to reduce the size of the already compact seats from 18" inches to 17" inches. The configuration change will make the already cramped planes, capable of handling 6 more passengers in coach.

Many other airlines have already stated that they will follow United's lead.

The airlines continue to find new ways to make air travel less convenient, less comfortable and less affordable for the average traveler.

Cruises are available from New York and Baltimore year-round and seasonal from Boston, Norfolk, Quebec and Montreal. Save the airfare and take a cruise from a city nearby.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Norwegian
Cruise Line today revealed Norwegian Breakaway’s signature hull artwork
designed by pop icon and America’s most popular living artist, Peter
Max. This is the first time Norwegian has commissioned
a well-known artist to paint the hull artwork on one of its ships.
Launching in April 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest ship to
homeport in New York City year-round. Max’s signature artwork will
cover approximately 40,000 square feet of Norwegian
Breakaway’s hull.

“While
it has been an honor to have my art exhibited in museums and galleries,
I have also enjoyed creating giant
‘canvases’ for public view, including my 600 ft. Woodstock stage, a
giant World’s Fair mural, the body of a Continental 777 super jet, and
now, the hull of Norwegian Breakaway,” said Peter Max from his New York
studio. “The artwork is a composite of New York
City and cosmic imagery— the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline, a
giant sunburst, planets, stars, and musical notes. That’s my New York!
And now Norwegian Breakaway is my New York cruise ship ‘canvas.’”

“Norwegian Breakaway is New York’s ship and this colorful artwork by
Peter Max will make the ship an instant icon,” said Kevin Sheehan,
Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “The Big Apple is
known for its love of art and its many galleries – and now, Norwegian
Breakaway becomes a floating piece of art that will cruise in and dock
every Saturday on New York’s West Side.With this distinctive design, unlike anything else
on the water, the ship will be recognizable to the millions of New
Yorkers who will see her as she journeys up and down the Hudson River
each week.”

Peter Max

With paintings on
exhibition in hundreds of museums and galleries worldwide, Max and his
vibrant colors have become part of the fabric of contemporary culture.
Max has been successively
called a Pop Icon, Neo Fauvist, Abstract Expressionist and the United
States’ "Painter Laureate."

Max has achieved his
place in history having painted for various Heads of State, including
six U.S. Presidents. From art that appeared on the first U.S. 10-cent
stamp bearing the
title “Preserve the Environment,” to 235 U.S. Border murals greeting
millions of people entering America each year, Peter Max seeks to
capture themes of America at its finest in his art.

He has a long-standing
career as the preeminent Pop artist in America. His art has appeared on a
Continental Boeing 777 jumbo jet; a 600-foot stage for the Woodstock
Music Festival;
the covers of Verizon's New York City yellow and white pages; and a
giant mural unveiled at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Max has also been
designated Official Artist of five Super Bowls, six Grammy Awards, World
Cup USA, The World Series, the United Nations Earth
Summit, and numerous other events. Max was honored at the Jefferson
Awards with an award for his lifetime dedication to America, and its
charitable causes.

Norwegian Breakaway

The 4,000 passenger Norwegian Breakaway will arrive in her year-round homeport of New York City in early May 2013.
The ship will begin weekly summer seven-day
cruises to Bermuda on Sunday, May 12, 2013. From October 2013 through
April 2014, New York’s ship will offer voyages from
the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas & Florida and the Southern
Caribbean.

To
date, the company has revealed the ship’s groundbreaking design,
including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place;
a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that
will create a whole new complex at sea that enhances guests’ connection
with the ocean. Norwegian Breakaway’s entertainment will include three
Broadway shows: five-time Tony nominated ROCK
OF AGES; the dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR; and CIRQUE DREAMS &
DINNER JUNGLE FANTASY. The famed comedy troupe The Second City, Howl at
the Moon dueling pianos, and New York’s own Slam Allen will also
perform on the vessel. Celebrity Chef and Food Network
star Geoffrey Zakarian will also debut his first restaurant at sea on
Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian.

The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway will feature
the first Aqua
Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall
slides, the first ever at sea, and a three-story sports complex that
includes the largest
ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball
court, rock climbing wall and more.

The ship will also
feature a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven by
Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship and 18
additional Suites located throughout
the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo
travelers; the re-introduction of Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and
Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close
proximity to the spa.

P&O Cruises Aurora is steaming toward New York and is expected to
arrive in New York today (Sunday)with a full complement of British
Passengers as part of a U.S., New England, Canada cruise.

Holland America's Veendam, sailed for New England / Canada last week and will complete the remainder of her 2012 fall season from Boston.

Both the Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn continue to sail to Bermuda. The Norwegian Dawn set sail from Boston on Friday, en-route to Bermuda. Norwegian Cruise Line stated that the Norwegian Dawn's Bermuda arrival will be delayed but did not state by how much.

The Norwegian Star is enroute to New York and is expected to arrive in New York early today (Sunday) and no changes have been announced for her Sunday departure for Bermuda.

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas is returning to Cape Liberty, Bayonne, NJ from Labadee, Haiti. The Explorer of the Seas will depart tomorrow (Sunday) for Bermuda. No modifications have been announced for her upcoming sailing as of now.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching its “Cruise
Event Week” limited time offer today,
Tuesday, September 4, 2012, giving guests the opportunity to earn
additional on-board amenities when they book a new cruise vacation to
one of Norwegian’s popular
destinations including the tropical waters of the Caribbean, with fares
starting at $399*. Guests who make a new cruise reservation will
receive a variety of on-board amenities, based on stateroom category,
plus reduced deposits when they book any five-day
or longer Norwegian cruise by Monday, September 10, 2012. Special
resident rates are also available on select sailings.

From studios to oceanviews and balconies to The Haven, every room comes with great perks for guests to enjoy.
Solo travelers who book a studio stateroom on
board Norwegian Epic or those who book any inside stateroom will receive
a bottle of wine to toast to their vacation. Guests who sail in an
oceanview stateroom
will receive a bottle of wine, plus decadent chocolate-covered
strawberries. Balcony guests will also receive a bottle of wine and
chocolate-covered strawberries, along with a complimentary dinner for
two in Norwegian’s signature Italian restaurant. Mini-suite
guests will enjoy all of the amenities received by those in a balcony
stateroom, plus an additional dinner for two at Norwegian’s signature
steakhouse, a guest favorite specialty restaurant, located on every
Norwegian ship. Suite guests will receive all of
the amenities entitled to guests sailing in a mini-suite, plus an
additional $50 spa credit to use towards any pampering treatment in the
Mandara Spas on board. Guests who set sail in Norwegian’s luxurious
suite complex, The Haven, available on board Norwegian
Epic, Gem, Pearl, Jewel or Jade, will enjoy all of the amenities
received by suite guests, plus dinner for two in Norwegian’s signature
French restaurant, and an additional $75 dollar on-board credit to use
towards another relaxing spa treatment, exciting shore excursions,
dinner in a specialty restaurant or towards beverages in one of the many
bars and lounges on
board.

As the weather gets cooler, the tropical cruise season
heats up with nine ships sailing from four convenient departure ports –
Miami, New Orleans, Tampa and New York – and amazing itineraries that
offer a slice
of paradise in the Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean.

Guests can chase the sun on a Caribbean cruise from Miami
on board Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Pearl or Norwegian Sun. Norwegian
Epic, recently named “Best Ship for Sea Days” by
Cruise Critic, will sail a series of seven-day cruises to the
Eastern Caribbean beginning November 3, 2012; Norwegian Pearl will sail
to the Western Caribbean on a series of seven-day cruises beginning
October 21, 2012; and Norwegian Sun will sail to
the Southern Caribbean on 10 and 11-day cruises starting on October 14,
2012.

Guests wishing to sail from Tampa can do so on Norwegian
Dawn, sailing seven-day Western Caribbean cruises beginning November 11,
2012.

Norwegian Gem sets sail from New York on nine-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean from New York starting October 20, 2012.

Norwegian Jewel also offers convenient getaways from New
York on seven-day cruises to the Bahamas & Florida from October 14,
2012 through December 30, 2012 or they can sail to the Southern
Caribbean on a 12-day
cruise between January 6, 2013 and February 3, 2013.

Guests who wish to sail from New Orleans in 2012 can set
sail on Norwegian Star, sailing seven-day cruises to the Western
Caribbean starting November 4, 2012.

In an exciting first for the line, Norwegian Jewel will
be the first Jewel-class ship to homeport in New Orleans. Starting
October 13, 2013, Norwegian Jewel will offer seven-day cruises to the
Western Caribbean
through April 13, 2014.

Residents of the Northeast can be one of the very first to experience the line’s newest and most innovative ship, Norwegian Breakaway, on a seven-day cruise to Bahamas & Florida from New
York City, starting October 13, 2013.

For those who prefer a quick tropical getaway, Norwegian
Sky offers three and four-day cruises year-round to the Bahamas from
Miami.

Welcome to the NortheastCruiseGuide Blog

The NortheastCruiseGuide Blog provides a unique perspective and active dialog on cruises, the cruise industry, and ships sailing from New York, Boston, Baltimore, Norfolk, Quebec, and Montreal Canada.
The editor of this column has over 40 years of cruise industry experience and shares his knowledge via this blog, the NYCruiseInfo.com, and the NortheastCruiseGuide.com websites.
The Northeast Cruise Guide Blog is updated daily so please check back frequently.